Abstract
Background/Objectives: The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends
early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF) as a beneficial practice for newborns
and their mothers. We conducted a breastfeeding study to estimate
prevalence of EIBF and to evaluate its associated factors in rural Burkina Faso.
Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of the data collected during an
originally prospective cross-sectional study as part of the evaluation of the
Alive & Thrive project interventions in the Boucle du Mouhoun region of
Burkina Faso. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate an estimate of EIBF
prevalence and its 95% CIs. We used multivariable logistic regressions to identify
factors associated with EIBF-rates. Results: A total of 157 mother-infant
pairs with the child being under 6 months of age were enrolled in the original
dataset and all included in our analyses. The prevalence of EIBF in the study
area was 12.7% [95% CI: 6.8 - 22.5]. Multivariable logistic regressions found
maternal high school education (OR = 10.7, p = 0.013), multiparity (OR = 9.5,
p = 0.010) and the Alive and Thrive intervention (OR = 5.5, p = 0.008) as the
three factors significantly associated with increased prevalence of EIBF. Conclusion:
The prevalence of EIBF was low in the study area in rural Burkina
Faso. Girls schooling and scaling-up of health interventions aimed at improving
infant good nutritional practices seem to be relevant options to increase
EIBF.

Early Initiation of Breastfeeding, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Burkina Faso